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The best-selling author and star of the new television series "Cesar 911" will share his tips and tricks at 8 p.m. Saturday at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Millan first showcased his techniques on the television series "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan," and his latest show, "Cesar 911," premiered March 7 on Nat Geo Wild. It airs at 9 p.m. Fridays.

Millan talked with JumpStart! about his Kirby Center appearance, which includes live demonstrations and an audience question-and-answer session.

JS: Tell us a little about your philosophy when it comes to training dogs.

CM: The main thing is that I don't train dogs. I train people in order to rehabilitate dogs, and I do that by teaching them the differences between human and dog psychology. The biggest problem I see, especially in the U.S., is that people think that affection is the most important thing to give a dog.

The problem is, affection at the wrong time will only reinforce your dog's bad behavior. If someone has a tiny little dog that barks aggressively at other dogs, a lot of time their first instinct is to pick the dog up, pet it and tell it, "It's ok." It's how we'd calm down a human child, but it absolutely doesn't work for a dog. When you give affection to a dog, you are giving approval of the mental state that the dog is in at that moment, so in my example, what the owner is really saying is, "I like it when you're aggressive like this."

I also teach people the importance of calm energy. Nothing will get a dog's attention faster than calm, assertive energy, and nothing will make them anxious, excited, or aggressive faster than chaotic, big energy. Yelling "No!" at a barking dog, for example, is the best way to make that dog bark more, for example.

JS: What will the audience learn during your appearance?

CM: I cover my techniques, especially the fundamentals, in a lot more detail than in the TV shows, and deal with behaviors like separation anxiety and aggression (which is very misunderstood). I teach people how to respect species and let a dog be a dog, and I help people understand how their energy affects the human/dog dynamic. It will be a lot of fun, and people tell me I'm very funny onstage. There will also be a lot of education.

We'll be collecting written questions before the show and at intermission, and I'll answer the most popular ones to help the most people possible. However, everyone at the show benefits by learning how to have a healthier, happier relationship with their dogs.

JS: What's one of the most important lessons you've learned through your career?

CM: I've learned that life is simple, but we make it complicated. We're humans, so we use our intellect and emotions when approaching things. Animals don't. They live in the moment and use their instincts. Intellect can be fantastic when you're trying to solve some sort of problem or come up with a new idea, and emotions are very necessary for dealing with and empathizing with other people. But neither one will work with a dog.

To make it simple, we have to learn how dogs communicate, and we have to learn how to listen to them. A dog will let you know what it's feeling because dogs can't lie. It's up to us to understand that message. But, trust me, dogs aren't rocket scientists. Neither are most people. What your dog is trying to tell you is always very simple, and always relates to what your dog is feeling and experiencing right now.

JS: What's the most unusual issue you've come across in dog training?

CM: I remember once meeting a dog that went crazy whenever his human picked up a fishing pole. At first, it seemed like a case of aggression - at least that's what the human thought - but I could see right away that it was just excitement. However, the owner perceived it as aggression, so would become afraid of his own dog. In turn, the dog picked up on the human's fear while in an excited state, which then turned the excitement into aggression.

It was unusual in that the trigger was very specific - the dog only reacted to the fishing pole - and it was also a perfect example of how human energy affects dogs. Luckily, once I figured out what was going on and taught the owner how to remain calm, the problem was resolved.

JS: Please tell me what folks can expect to see in your brand new TV show, "Cesar 911"?

CM: "Cesar 911" is all about helping entire groups of people - families, extended families, workplaces, and communities. Instead of focusing on one person or family with misbehavior problems, like on "Dog Whisperer," or working to match people with the ideal rescue dogs for them like "Leader of the Pack," this show shows how misbehaving dogs can affect relationships between people. From there, I work with the dogs at my Dog Psychology Center and new, state-of-the-art Home Training Annex.

The show has humor, drama, and suspense, as well as some very heartwarming moments of success. And, as always, the viewers will learn a lot about how to bring balance and happiness to their relationships with their dogs.

JS: How many animals do you have now?

CM: In my home pack, I have five dogs: my pit bull Junior, chihuahuas Coco and Taco, Yorkie Alfie, and pomeranian Benson. At the Dog Psychology Center at any one time, I'll usually have twenty to thirty dogs, along with my horse, llama, tortoise, turtle, goats, ducks, and macaw, and I want to keep adding animals to the DPC pack, because they are the best teachers of all.

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